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Explore CoolSculpting® Today!

In the past, when patients were dealing with stubborn, exercise-resistant fat and unwanted inches, liposuction was often the only real treatment option. Today, that story has changed, and modern cosmetic medicine offers a host of minimally-invasive and non-invasive solutions. And, there are few as popular as CoolSculpting®.

As one of today’s most cutting-edge cosmetic treatments, CoolSculpting uses patented cooling technology to reduce unwanted fat, without the need for surgery. Based on the principle that fat cells are more sensitive to cold than overlying skin, CoolSculpting triggers a natural process known as apoptosis. This works to eliminate fat cells from the body without damaging nerves or surrounding tissue. So, ready to find out more?

Here is our list of the top 5 reasons to explore CoolSculpting today:

  1. Effective. Based on years of research and testing, CoolSculpting has been shown to be one of the most effective means for non-invasive fat reduction available today. While not a weight loss solution, CoolSculpting helps improve the appearance of unsightly bulges and unwanted inches.
  2. Completely non-invasive. Compared to traditional fat reduction methods, CoolSculpting represents a completely non-invasive alternative. Gently drawing bulges of fat between the devices specially-designed cooling panels, CoolSculpting eliminates fat without any knives, needles or suction tubes.
  3. Versatile. As one of today’s most versatile cosmetic procedures, CoolSculpting works to target nearly any area of unwanted fat. Common treatment areas include the thighs, midsection, love handles and many others.
  4. No downtime. Patients who undergo CoolSculpting can expect to be back on their feet immediately, with no downtime or healing period. Often described as a “lunch break” procedure, many patients return to work immediately following their CoolSculpting session.
  5. Available in New Jersey. Our practice is proud to announce the addition of CoolSculpting to our large selection of cosmetic treatments. Those interested are encouraged to schedule their CoolSculpting sessions today!

CoolSculpting in West Orange and Jersey City

If you’re tired of dealing with stubborn fat, contact us today and find out how CoolSculpting can help. To schedule a consultation, we encourage you to call our West Orange office at 973-324-9455 or our Jersey City office at 201-763-6764. We look forward to serving you.

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Top 5 Cosmetic Procedures for 2013

January is all about new beginnings! A time of year that symbolizes change and opportunity, take a moment to think about your goals and aspirations for 2013! Of course, while we all know the typical New Year’s resolutions – get more organized, spend more time with friends and family, etc. – this year, we’re challenging our patients to make a new commitment to their health and beauty! Let’s face it, the New Year is now well upon us – isn’t it time to find a new you?

Winter is an ideal time for cosmetic treatment. With cooler weather and shorter days, winter offers plenty of opportunities for rest and recovery. What’s more, the bulkier clothing we’re wearing this time of year can help keep your plastic surgery procedure your little secret. So, are you ready to find out what plastic surgery can do for you?

Here is our list of the Top 5 Cosmetic Procedures for 2013:

  1. Breast Augmentation: For the countless women suffering from small, uneven breasts, breast augmentation surgery can be an ideal solution. Using silicone or saline-filled implants, the procedure aims to achieve a fuller, more proportionate bustline.

  1. BOTOX/fillers: For those looking for a minimally-invasive answer to lines and wrinkles, our practice offers a wide selection of injectables, including BOTOX® and fillers. BOTOX, which is essentially a muscle relaxer, works to ease away “expression lines,” like crow’s feet and horizontal lines across the forehead. For deep-set wrinkles, patients will often benefit from a soft tissue filler such as Juvéderm®. These treatments add volume to the skin and promote a rested, youthful appearance.

  2. Lipotherme™: Lipotherme is one of today’s most exciting solutions for stubborn, exercise-resistant fat. Technically known as a “laser lipolysis” procedure, Lipotherme works to simultaneously eliminate fat and tighten skin. Achieving a trim, more proportionate figure, Lipotherme is well-suited for nearly any area of the body, including the thighs, midsection, love handles and more.

  3. Eyelid Lift : Our eyes say a lot about us, and if you’re one of the countless men and women living with tired, sagging eyelids, yours could be saying the wrong thing! Thankfully, plastic surgery offers a simple, effective solution: eyelid lift surgery. The procedure removes excess fat, skin and muscle from the upper eyelids to refresh the eyes and restore a more youthful appearance.

     

  4. Tummy Tuck: Also known as an abdominoplasty procedure, tummy tuck surgery works to dramatically flatten and tighten the abdomen. An effective and time-tested solution, tummy tuck surgery is particularly popular among those who have lost a significant amount of weight as well as mothers who have passed their childbearing years.

     

Plastic Surgeon in West Orange and Jersey City

Ready to find out what plastic surgery can do for you? Take the first step – contact us today. To schedule your plastic surgery consultation, call our West Orange office at 973-324-9455 or our Jersey City office at 201-763-6764. We look forward to meeting you.

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Plastic Surgery Trend: Minimally-Invasive Procedures on the Rise!

While plastic surgery procedures continue to see significant growth each year, a new trend in the world of cosmetic medicine is becoming more and more apparent: minimally-invasive procedures are on the rise! A category that often means less downtime and quicker recoveries, patients love the ease and convenience of these “lunch break” procedures. So, just how many non-surgical procedures are performed each year?

According to a recent report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were over 12.2 million minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures performed in 2011. What’s even more impressive is the type of growth that represents. Compared with the 2010 figures, we see a remarkable 6% growth in popularity in one year alone. That means for every one surgical cosmetic procedure that was performed in the US, seven minimally-invasive procedures were also performed. Want to know what other patients are choosing?

Here are the Top 3 Minimally-Invasive Cosmetic Procedures in the US, based on recent ASPS data:

  1. Botulinum Toxin Type A: A category that includes BOTOX® injections, botulinum toxin type A procedures have quickly grown to become the number-one cosmetic procedure in the US. Essentially a muscle relaxer, BOTOX is a highly purified protein that works to combat the appearance of “dynamic creases.” These include frown lines, crow’s feet and horizontal lines across the forehead.
  2. Soft Tissue Fillers: For deeper, more persistent wrinkles, a filler will often be the better option. Simple and effective, fillers like Juvéderm® and Restylane® work to “fill in” the valleys of creases. These treatments are also used to add volume to the skin, achieve a more youthful face shape and in certain cases, can be used for cosmetic lip enhancement.
  3. Chemical Peels: Tailored to a patient’s medical needs and cosmetic concerns, chemical peels work to remove the damaged outer layers of the skin and promote a fresher, more youthful appearance. Ensuring the highest quality of care for our patients, our practice is proud to offer chemical peels from SkinMedica®. These treatments rejuvenate the skin with minimal downtime or discomfort.

BOTOX in West Orange and Jersey City

To learn more about these or any of the procedures we offer, we encourage you to contact us today and schedule a consultation. Call our West Orange office at 973-324-9455 or our Jersey City office at 201-763-6764. We look forward to meeting you soon.

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“Growing Young” Together: The Rise of Couples’ Plastic Surgery

Last week, ABC News published an interesting article on a growing new trend in the world of cosmetic medicine: couples exploring plastic surgery together. While certain procedures have long been associated only with women, it seems now that a growing number of husbands are joining with their wives and finding out what cosmetic surgery can do for them!

“Heather and David Robertson have done everything together for 18 years,” reports ABC, “so when she decided to go under the knife, he didn’t think twice about doing it, too.” And, while Heather and David were both looking into plastic surgery, they came in with different concerns. David was dealing with a bothersome “double chin” and opted for a surgical chin lift. For Heather, however, it was all about combating the effects of childbirth. “…We have had four children together and you know it takes quite a toll on our bodies,” David explained to ABC News. “So if anybody deserves to get a tummy tuck, I think she deserves to get one done.”

Following the procedures, the couple seems to be satisfied. “Six weeks of healing later and the extra skin on David’s chin is gone,” reports ABC. “Heather’s baby fat after her four children is non-existent.”

Male Plastic Surgery on the Rise

The recent ABC News piece highlights a shifting attitude in the world of plastic surgery. What were procedures only popular among the “fairer sex,” are now finding an ever-growing male audience. Just how many men are choosing plastic surgery each year? According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were over 1.19 million male cosmetic procedures performed in 2011, alone. That represents a remarkable 9% of all cosmetic procedures performed in the country. So, which procedures are men choosing?

Here are the Top 3 Cosmetic Surgical Procedures Among Men, based on recent ASPS data:

Nose Reshaping: Nose reshaping – also known as “rhinoplasty” – comes in as the number-one male cosmetic surgery in the US. The procedure aims to correct a nose that appears large, wide, has a bump or appears crooked.

Eyelid Surgery: Also, known as “blepharoplasty,” an eyelid lift works to combat the appearance of drooping, tired-looking eyes. During the procedure, excess fat, skin and muscle are removed from the upper and lower eyelids.

Liposuction: The go-to treatment for stubborn, exercise-resistant fat, liposuction is used to shape and recontour the body. Common liposuction sites include the midsection, love handles, buttocks, thighs, chest and more.

Plastic Surgeon in West Orange and Jersey City

Ready to explore plastic surgery for the first time? Take the first step – contact us today. To schedule your plastic surgery consultation, call our West Orange office at 973-324-9455 or our Jersey City office at 201-763-6764. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Top 5 Plastic Surgery Procedures Among Women

Each year, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons releases comprehensive data on the top cosmetic procedures in the US. And, as the world’s largest plastic surgery specialty organization, the ASPS also gives insights on how procedures vary by gender.

In 2011, there were over 1.5 million surgical cosmetic procedures performed in the US, reports the ASPS. Compared with the 2010 figure, this represents a remarkable 2% overall growth in one year alone. And, although more men are choosing cosmetic surgery today, women still come out on top, accounting for nearly 9 out of every 10 surgical procedures. So, want to find out what other ladies are choosing?

Here are the Top 5 Plastic Surgery Procedures Among Women, based on recent ASPS data:

1. Breast Augmentation:

As the number-one cosmetic surgery in the US, breast augmentation is a go-to treatment for women with small or disproportionate breasts. Using silicone or saline implants, we work to achieve a fuller, firmer and more proportionate bustline. Often, women will also combine this procedure with a breast lift for more satisfying results.

2. Nose Reshaping:

Nose reshaping – also known as rhinoplasty – is a procedure aimed at reshaping, reducing or augmenting a person’s nose to increase facial harmony and boost self-confidence. Nose surgery may also be performed for functional reasons, treating certain breathing problems, such as those caused by a deviated septum.

3. Liposuction:

For patients suffering from stubborn, exercise-resistant fat, liposuction can often be the best option. Using a special suction tool, liposuction aims to permanently remove fat from the thighs, midsection, arms, and more. While not a weight loss solution, for many, liposuction can help patients achieve the body they’ve always wanted.

4. Eyelid Surgery:

As we age, our eyelids can start to sag and droop. This can make us look older and more tired than we really are. An eyelid lift procedure – also known as blepharoplasty – works to combat this. During the operation, excess fat, skin and muscle is removed from the upper and lower eyelids. The goal is a fresh, more youthful appearance.

5. Tummy Tuck:

A tummy tuck, technically referred to as “abdominoplasty,” is a procedure aimed at flattening and shaping the abdomen by removing fat and skin and tightening muscles. Abdominoplasty can also be useful for women with stretched skin and muscles from pregnancy.

Plastic Surgeon in West Orange and Jersey City

To find out more about these or any of the procedures we offer, don’t hesitate to contact us today and schedule your plastic surgery consultation. Call our West Orange office at 973-324-9455 or our Jersey City office at 201-763-6764. We look forward to meeting you soon.

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Healing the Children in Vietnam

Over the last twelve years, I have taken several trips with Healing the Children New Jersey, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing donated medical care to children in need- in the US and throughout the world. Most recently, I returned from a seven-day mission to Vietnam where our team of volunteers completed over 78 surgeries.

Forty medical and non-medical people traveled on this amazing trip, each of us paying our own way, taking vacation time, and bringing the necessary equipment and supplies, while donating our expertise to many of the underprivileged. We performed surgeries on those who wouldn’t have had the opportunity to acquire these procedures without our mission.

Each day, there were lines of Vietnamese children, each with a skin deformities- cleft palette, cleft lip, as well as burn victims, each waiting for a turn to seek help from a medical professional. Such surgeries normally cost thousands of dollars, and they are usually beyond the reach of most poor families.

It is very difficult for children with defects in Vietnam. Many Vietnamese people believe that the parents or grandparents are to blame for the deformities. It is viewed as a punishment for something they did wrong in their lives. Many local villagers believe Agent Orange, used in the Vietnam War, is also a cause of such an abnormality and the afflicted child is referred to as an Agent Orange baby. Agent Orange was designed to defoliate the jungle and thus deny cover to Vietcong guerrillas. It contained one of the most virulent poisons known to man, a strain of dioxin called TCCD. In time, the dioxin then spread its toxic reach to the food chain, which some say, led to a proliferation of birth deformities.

Our team not only performed the necessary surgeries, but with the help of translators, we were able to train the existing staff how to perform several of these procedures. Specifically, I trained some of the Vietnamese surgeon’s new techniques for skin grafting burn victims. We operated on one teenager that had 70 percent of his body burned.

Although many surgeries were performed each day, unfortunately, we had to turn away several people that required multiple surgeries that could not be performed without the use of more advanced equipment.

Not only did we have a rewarding week providing treatment for these needy children, I believe we have made great strides in establishing a system in Vietnam for these patients that will serve as a model of care. Traveling to a place like Hue is definitely a reminder of the superior health care, to which we have access, in the United States.

Visit htcnj.org for more information about Healing the Children New Jersey.

Dr Sanjay Lalla operating in Hue Central Hospital, Vietnam.

Dr Sanjay Lalla with 2-year-old boy. Little boy had a cleft lip and palate and was unable to take in proper nutrition do to deformity. Dr Lalla fixed the deformity with a two hour surgery enabling the boy to eat and drink properly and to fix the lip deformity.

5-year-old girl born with an extra thumb on each hand. X-ray of thumbs. Dr Lalla removed extra thumbs on each hand. This little girl was scared to go to school because the other children made fun of her and didn’t want to play with her. The surgery was a success and she was very happy.

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Magic? No. It’s Lipothereme!

Weight loss…who hasn’t struggled with it at some point in life?  Whether you struggled with your weight as a child or were blessed with an other-worldly metabolism until you weren’t, we’ve all had the specter of those extra ten or fifteen pounds cast a long shadow in our lives.  Most clients who come into my office looking for a medical solution to their weight issues have earnestly tried all kinds of diets and exercise regimens.  Frankly, sometimes diet and exercise just cannot get the job done.  Just like you can’t choose your family, you can’t choose your genes.  For those clients I offer an array of options including abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck as it is more commonly known, and liposuction.  Now I am happy to introduce a new procedure called Lipotherme.

Lipotherme, or Laser Lipo, is a revolutionary and minimally invasive procedure for the removal of fat using the high-powered Lipotherme™ laser to sculpt your body. In addition to removing unwanted fat, the laser’s thermal effect actually causes the skin to tighten, resulting in firmer, smoother skin in the treated area.  Although Lipotherme cannot completely replace traditional liposuction, it is a promising alternative for many clients looking to remove relatively small pockets of fat. Lipotherme requires only a local anesthetic and involves virtually no downtime for recovery.

Yes you read correctly, no downtime!  Most patients resume normal activities the day after their procedure, however, it is recommended you wait several days before resuming strenuous activity such as exercising.  So how does this procedure work?  Though it sounds like magic, it is science.

To perform this procedure, I first administer a mild numbing agent to the targeted zone. Then a small metal tube called a cannula is inserted under the skin and a tiny laser beam is fired as I move the cannula back and forth. As the laser warms the fat cells, it creates a thermal effect. Fat cells, which are highly receptive to thermal energy, are liquefied. Next I will aspirate (suction) the liquefied fat cells away.  And voila, you are finished!  Click here  if you would like to see before and after pictures.

This non-invasive procedure can be used to target a large number of areas:

• Abdomen                              • Knees

• Arms (back of arms)               • Ankles

• Waist (love handles)               • Back (bra line)

• Thighs (inner and outer)       • Hips (saddle bags)

• Face (chin and cheeks)

If you would like more information or pictures of Lipotherme please refer to the Lipotherme page on our website.  Please contact us today to schedule a consultation or to ask any additional questions you may
have.

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Peel Back the Years

I thought I would take this blog entry to discuss something non-surgical but effective nonetheless. Our office has a medical spa that is run by an indispensable member of our staff named Gina. Gina is a Board Certified nurse practitioner and is therefore abundantly qualified to offer the services in our spa.

I always hear Gina talking to not only our clients but to our friends and family about some amazing moisturizer or under eye cream or wrinkle defense. She avidly tests the products we use and monitors them for quite some time before recommending them outright. And lately, I have heard her extolling the benefits of the SkinMedica Vitalize Peel®.

If you enjoyed getting a suntan in the days when there were no warnings about UVAs or you used to have scar causing acne or any other type of skin discoloration, there is hope. There are countless chemical peels on the market, but in the last year or so, we have had GREAT success with the SkinMedica Vitalize Peel®

The SkinMedica Vitalize Peel® is a light, non-surgical, chemical peel that gently scrubs away the outer layers of the skin to reveal lighter, smoother, brighter and younger looking skin underneath. It is a combination of both alpha and hydroxy acids, resorcinol and retinoic acid which are basically heavy weight exfoliators. The benefits of the peel are:

– Improved skin texture

– Reduction of fine lines

– Lightened dark spots

– Youthful glow

There is improvement with the first treatment but the best results will be after 3 to 6 treatments. The peel is administered as a series of treatments given three weeks apart depending on your particular skin. The results last three to four months, and periodic treatments may be necessary to maintain the results. Usually, after the initial series, two or three times a year is good enough to keep your friends wondering how you look so young.

What To Expect:

The treatment takes about 30 minutes during which you may experience some tingling and a slight burning sensation (not to worry, we provide small fans to help). Approximately 48 hours after the treatment, your skin will start to peel (hence the name) and will continue to do so for three to five days. Once the layers of skin have been sloughed off, get ready to glow. I recommend having a great night out planned so you can show off. Trust me, people will notice that you look amazing but not quite be able to place their finger on why. That will be our secret.

If you need more proof, click below to see what the Cosmetic Surgery Times has to say about SkinMedica Vitalize Peel®:

http://digital.healthcaregroup.advanstar.com/nxtbooks/advanstar/cst_201010/#/28

As always please feel free to call our office for a more thorough consultation.

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Butts, Butts and More Butts!

A few weeks ago I went to a Black Eyed Peas Concert and was reminded of the sheer number of catchy songs they sing. But the one that stayed with me was “My Humps.” You know the one – “What you gon’ do with all that junk? All that junk inside your trunk?” That song, a modern day ode to the curves of a woman’s body, came out in 2005, and today, in 2010, almost any woman can have those “humps” with two popular butt enhancement procedures – implants or the Brazilian Butt Lift. And why not? Ten years ago, J Lo. May have been the only celebrity with a well endowed butt, but (pun intended) today, there is Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, and Jessica Biel to name a few. There is no doubt – big butts are in!

For men and women who want to enhance their butt one of these two procedures can work wonders by increasing the contours of the buttocks and creating a more round, full shape. Both procedures will also give the appearance of a lift in the buttock region. There are big differences between butt implants and Brazilian Butt Lift so let’s discuss each in a bit of detail.

Butt Implants

Butt implants, like breast and calf implants, are used to improve the shape and increase the size of the area. They are made of silicone and feel like a well-toned muscle. Like other implants, they come in several sizes and are round or oval. Once implanted, your butt will feel natural and firm.

During surgery the implant is inserted under the gluteus muscle and away from the bony, sits bones through an incision that is made down the buttock crease. The result is a more contoured, fuller and perkier butt. Take a look at these before and after pictures to get a better idea of what butt implants can do for you:

Butt Implant – Before

Butt Implant – After

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brazilian Butt Lift

The Brazilian Butt Lift has been increasing in popularity lately. During this procedure fat is harvested from another part of the body and then inserted into the buttocks to enhance them. You can see the appeal of using something that your body already creates as opposed to something foreign. It is worth noting that precisely because fat is part of the body, some of the re-inserted fat tissue will be reabsorbed by your body. So up to three months after the procedure, there is the chance that the size of your butt will change. Some people worry that this will create a lumpy end result, but it is absolutely not true.

This procedure has the added bonus of getting liposuction to a problem area in order to harvest the fat for the buttocks. It really is a win-win!

So if you have always thought about changing or improving your derriere, you now have a few options. And as always, feel free to contact us for more information regarding these or any other procedures.

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Cosmetic Surgeon v. Plastic Surgeon…Who is Who?

Recently I was at a neighbor’s party and one of the guests, discovering I was a plastic surgeon, came over to ask me some questions. And yes, this does happen to me often, and no I don’t mind. The woman in question had had a tummy tuck and was not satisfied with the results. I told her to come to the office so we could examine her more thoroughly. A few days later, she came by my office and I saw why she wasn’t happy with the results of her surgery. Without getting too technical, the stitches were not optimal and would most likely result in an unseemly scar. In talking with her about her surgery and her options, I discovered that the procedure had been performed by a cosmetic surgeon. She said the doctor was also an OB/GYN!

There has been a debate raging in plastic surgery circles about this now all too common issue. So I think it is not only important but my ethical duty, to take some time to explain the difference between cosmetic surgeons and plastic surgeons so you can make more informed decisions.

Plastic surgery includes both cosmetic surgery as well as reconstructive surgery. A plastic surgeon is specially trained to not only be able to do a face-lift but also to be able to fix a deformity such as a cleft palette. The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) will certify a plastic surgeon only after he/she has completed a valid training AND passed rigorous oral and written exams. The ABPS is only one of 24 recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).

So is cosmetic surgery recognized as a medical specialty? No it is not. Cosmetic surgery is really a subspecialty of plastic surgery, and one which should be practiced by plastic surgeons. It focuses on procedures that take a normal body structure and improve it to make it look better and improve the person’s self-esteem. In most cases, and there are exceptions, cosmetic surgery is performed because the patient wants to appear more attractive. Breast implants, facelifts, tummy tucks, and hair replacement treatments are all common examples of cosmetic surgery procedure because the surgeon is enhancing the already normal body structure.

However, and this is where it’s time to pay attention, “cosmetic surgeon” is a generalized term that could be used by a certified plastic surgeon OR by a dermatologist, OB/GYN, primary care physician, and a host of others who decide to offer these procedures without necessarily having the proper training. In addition, often times these other doctors do not have hospital privileges to perform cosmetic procedures and also do not have malpractice insurance covering cosmetic procedures because they fall out of the scope of their training.

If anyone with an M.D. is allowed to call themselves a cosmetic or aesthetic surgeon, you have to be more diligent when choosing a surgeon. My advice? Choose a doctor who has experience and training specifically in your type of procedure. I had to perform countless tummy tucks, face lifts, and breast augmentations to ensure that I would have the skills to perform them correctly and without complications. o It still baffles me why anyone would want to go to an OB/GYN to get a breast augmentation. Better yet, it is even more puzzling why a doctor who isn’t trained in cosmetic procedures would offer them. Because do you know how many times they had to perform cosmetic procedures during training? That’s right – zero! So in order to be safe and guarantee a successful procedure, remember to ask detailed questions, research the doctor’s background and don’t be afraid to ask for references from patients.

To verify a physician’s board status, contact the American Board of Plastic Surgery at (215) 587-9322. You may also contact the American Board of Medical Specialties at 1(800) 776-2378 or www.abms.com .

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